Weekly Report - 26 March 2026 (WR-26-12)

Chile’s President José Antonio Kast is facing two vexed issues within the first few weeks of his term due to the actions of the US government led by President Donald Trump. Kast took office facing heavy pressure from the US over China’s proposed undersea fibre-optic cable [WR-26-11]. And now, with crude oil prices surging as a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s decision for the US to conduct joint military action with Israel against Iran, the Kast government has significantly increased the cost of petrol and diesel at the pump.